“My life is a testimony that God restores, heals, and continually writes new stories of grace.”
Meet Joel Alemán, assistant pastor at GCI Tegucigalpa, Honduras. With a compassionate and thoughtful approach, Joel walks alongside others as they grow in Christ and discover life together in community.
“True prayer is a response to the God who has already spoken and acted.”
— Eugene H. Peterson
This August, we gather in prayer — trusting Jesus as he leads us each day. Together, we learn to participate more fully in his life and mission.
Click here to download the August Prayer Guide.
Would you like to receive this Prayer Guide straight to your email inbox before the first of the month? Sign up here.
What is Christian witness?
This month’s GCI Buzz explores how witness begins with Jesus and grows through our relationship with him. As we follow him, we’re invited to share his love through our words, actions, and everyday relationships.
Living Kingdom Culture involves getting outside the walls of the church. In a world where meaningful connections can be difficult to find, local gatherings are helping bridge the gap. By bringing people together, we can create welcoming spaces where people can build friendships, support one another, and grow together.
Summer Block Party
Families, children and bubble enthusiasts enjoyed a day of fun, fellowship and community connection as Bubbles in the Park returned on Saturday, July 18. Hosted by GC Sacramento, California, the free event began at 11 a.m. and continued throughout the day, offering a welcoming space for people of all ages to gather outdoors and enjoy the simple joy of blowing bubbles.
Guests were welcome to bring their own bubble supplies, and free bubbles were available throughout the event. In addition to bubbles, attendees could request prayer, enjoy a complimentary lunch, or take advantage of all three. Cold water and light refreshments were also provided while supplies lasted.
The event brought neighbors together while creating opportunities for meaningful conversations, family fun and community engagement. We relocated to Citrus Heights in June 2024 with the goal of building relationships and serving its new community.
GC Sacramento welcomed families again this year as children enjoyed their summer break. Attendees spent the day enjoying the park, fresh air and activities.
We developed the idea for Bubbles in the Park as a simple way to connect with local residents and provide a free family-friendly activity during the summer months.
Our hope is to continue offering events like this and become an active part of the community. We love meeting people, sharing conversations, and offering encouragement. Each year we give away hundreds of bottles of bubbles, snacks, and if they’d like, prayers. Bubbles are a reminder that some prayers are answered immediately — they ‘pop’ right away — while others seem to float for a while before the answer comes. We hoped the gathering left participants feeling encouraged and connected.
Kairis Colter-Chiaji, Pastor
Sacramento, California, US
When we are young, time moves oh so slowly! And we have a perspective that we have all the time in the world. But when we get up in years, time moves so fast, almost like a blur. Technology doubles every 18 to 24 months and is producing results that are almost uncomprehensible.
So why is it important to think about time? The faster we go and the busier we get, the more dull, deaf, and blind we can become when it comes to godly things. We can lose the ability to sense when someone needs help; we might lose the ability to want to stop and help others. In our hurry, we run right past God’s invitations and God’s opportunities without even realizing it. We also lose the ability to truly love our fellow human beings. “The love of many will wax cold” (Matthew 24:12).
You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. You must love your neighbor as you love yourself. Matthew 22:36-40
Love is patient. Love is slow-paced. Relationships — our relationship with God and our relationships with others — will grow when we are in unhurried time.
No matter what stage of life you are in, young, old, or in-between, we can adopt a mindset of unhurried time when it comes to God and our fellow humans. Sometimes we are so caught up in striving for efficiency that love seems like a luxury or even an obstacle to efficiency. Let’s take time to just talk and allow someone our precious time. Relationships are at the heart of the two great commands.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we pray that you help us develop unhurried time to develop a relationship with you and others. Amen
Randal Roberts, Associate Pastor
Maumee, Ohio, US
Dear GCI Family and Friends,
It is our pleasure to make available the updated Pastoral Liturgy Guide (previously called the Ceremonies Book). We presented it to the elders at the Denominational Celebration last month. And now, the Guide is available for everyone to download here.
As a means of introduction, it is important that we have a clear understanding of baptism as seen through the lens of Jesus. Below is an excerpt:
GCI’s liturgical practice includes two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion. Both are vital to the worship life of the Church as embodiments of grace, enacted testimonies to the love of God in Jesus Christ. Both are visible signs of an invisible grace — holy ordinances instituted by Christ wherein by visible signs Christ and the benefits of the new covenant are represented, sealed, and applied to believers. Moreover, these sacraments enact the gospel by means of which the Spirit of God confirms to us the forgiving, renewing, and promising love of God in Jesus Christ, enlivening us in faith, hope, and love. (p. 5)
Sacraments are outward signs or ceremonies of inward grace. Baptism and Holy Communion were established by Jesus and mandated by him for all who would be his followers. GCI along with most Protestant groups accept Baptism and Holy Communion as the two sacraments instituted by Jesus.
The updated Pastoral Liturgy Guide goes on to say:
The sacrament of baptism proclaims we are saved by Christ alone and not through our own repentance and faith. Our baptisms are effective only because they bear witness to and by faith share in Christ’s baptism for us. His baptism as one of us was for the forgiveness of our sins and the provision of the promised Holy Spirit to indwell us. In our baptisms we affirm that the Holy Spirit Jesus received at his baptism was for us to be received by faith in him. In every act of baptism each member is invited to recall and reaffirm their own baptism into Christ’s baptism for us. (p. 5)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NKJV
On April 17–19, GC Ladson hosted our local women’s conference, entitled “Radiant Women Reflecting His Light.” The event brought together women from diverse backgrounds to honor Jesus Christ, focusing on how his light can be reflected in everyone.
The program commenced on Friday with an opening reception, marking the beginning of a weekend featuring insightful testimonies, presentations, and activities. During each session, our sisters Edith Simmons and Deaconess Clara Martin guided us with praise and worship songs rooted in Scripture, ministering to the hearts of everyone present. These sessions emphasized that the light of Jesus uniquely illuminates even the darkest of our personal circumstances.
The event featured a range of impactful speakers and sessions that inspired and encouraged the attendees throughout the weekend.
Saturday Sessions
Sunday Session
Throughout the conference, participants took part in meaningful activities designed to deepen their faith. Sister Shannon Hoppe led an exercise focused on the importance of studying Scripture and communicating the message of Christ clearly. Additionally, I facilitated another activity to reinforce the centrality of Christ in every aspect of our lives.
Personal Reflections and Spiritual Journeys
Throughout the conference, each participant was given the opportunity to share her personal spiritual journey with Christ. These testimonies highlighted how Christ has shaped their lives, guiding them to become the individuals He desires them to be.
Participants expressed that, in whatever roles or responsibilities they undertook, the Spirit of His light shone through their actions. This illumination allowed others to see Christ reflected in them, reinforcing the central theme of the conference: Radiant Women Reflecting His Light.
In his love,
Robin Grant, Women’s Ministry Chair
Ladson, SC, US
The Rayong, Thailand congregation is comprised of Filipinos who do not speak Thai. One vision of the Pastoral Team is for our church to intentionally reach out to the local Thai community and share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
To support this vision, the team has initiated a Thai language class for interested church members who desire to learn the fundamentals of the Thai language.
The goal is to equip members with the ability to communicate effectively with native residents, build meaningful relationships, and share the word of God in their own language. (We still remember the Thai Language Mission Trip undertaken by Ambassador College in years gone by).
Lito Olaguer, Pastor
Rayong, Thailand
“God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer.” — Mother Teresa
This July, we gather in prayer — giving thanks for the ways God continues to shape us. In our churches, neighborhoods, and daily lives, he is forming us into people who reflect his grace and hope.
Click here to download the July Prayer Guide.
Would you like to receive this Prayer Guide straight to your email inbox before the first of the month? Sign up here.
Citizens of the kingdom believe in one Lord, one faith, one baptism — Lord Jesus, his faith, his baptism. We are baptized into Jesus’ baptism and his faith.
And we take seriously our responsibility to disciple members for the sacrament of baptism. Here’s one GCI resource that is helpful for baptism classes: We Believe with teacher’s notes
The sacrament of baptism proclaims that we are saved by Christ alone and not through our own repentance and faith. It is a participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, in which our old selves have been crucified and renounced in Christ, and we have been freed from the shackles of the past and given new being through his resurrection. Baptism proclaims the good news that Christ has made us his own, and that it is only in him that our new life of faith and obedience emerges. Grace Communion International baptizes by immersion. — GCI Statement of Beliefs
